How to Write the Purpose of the Study in a Dissertation

The Purpose of the Study section explains what your research aims to accomplish. It clearly states the main goal of your dissertation and describes what you hope to explore, examine, compare, or understand through your study.

This section is important because it connects your research problem to your methodology and research questions. A strong purpose statement in Chapter 1 helps readers understand exactly what your study intends to do.

What Is the Purpose of the Study?

The Purpose of the Study is a brief section that:

• Explains the overall aim of the research

• Identifies the topic being investigated

• Describes the population or setting being studied

• Indicates the research method or design when appropriate

In simple terms, it answers: “What is this study trying to accomplish?”

Why Is the Purpose of the Study Important?

The purpose statement is important because it:

• Provides focus and direction for the dissertation

• Clarifies the goals of the research

• Connects the problem statement to the methodology

• Helps readers understand the intent of the study

• Guides research questions and data collection

Without a clear purpose statement, your dissertation may appear unfocused or unclear.

Where Does the Purpose of the Study Go?

The Purpose of the Study is usually included in Chapter 1 of a dissertation, often after:

1. Background of the Problem

2. Problem Statement

It typically appears before:

• Research questions

• Hypotheses

• Significance of the study

Step 1: Start With the Research Method

Many purpose statements begin by identifying the methodology used in the study.

Examples:

• “The purpose of this qualitative study…”

• “The purpose of this quantitative study…”

• “The purpose of this mixed methods study…”

This immediately tells the reader what type of research you are conducting.

Step 2: Identify the Main Research Topic

Clearly state the issue, concept, or phenomenon being studied.

Example:

• Academic anxiety

• Student engagement

• Teacher burnout

• Online learning effectiveness

Be specific and focused.

Step 3: Identify the Population or Setting

Explain who or what is being studied.

Examples:

• Undergraduate students

• High school teachers

• Postgraduate psychology students

• Online learners in higher education

This defines the scope of your study.

Step 4: State the Main Goal of the Study

Describe what the research intends to examine, explore, compare, or understand.

Common action verbs include:

• Explore

• Examine

• Investigate

• Compare

• Determine

• Understand

• Evaluate

Example:

“The purpose of this study is to explore factors contributing to academic anxiety among postgraduate students.”

Step 5: Keep It Clear and Concise

A purpose statement is usually one short paragraph. Avoid unnecessary detail or long explanations.

A strong purpose statement should be:

• Clear

• Specific

• Focused

• Directly connected to the problem statement

Examples of Purpose Statements

Qualitative Example

“The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the experiences of postgraduate students managing academic stress during dissertation writing.”

Quantitative Example

“The purpose of this quantitative study is to examine the relationship between sleep quality and academic performance among undergraduate students.”

Mixed Methods Example

“The purpose of this mixed methods study is to evaluate the impact of online learning on student engagement and explore student perceptions of virtual classrooms.”

Tips for Writing a Strong Purpose Statement

• Clearly identify the research method

• Focus on one central research goal

• Specify the population or setting

• Use precise academic language

• Align it with the problem statement and research questions

• Keep it concise and easy to understand

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Students often make mistakes such as:

• Writing overly broad purpose statements

• Including too much background information

• Using vague language

• Failing to identify the population being studied

• Writing goals that do not align with the research problem

A focused and specific statement creates a stronger dissertation foundation.

Purpose Statement vs Problem Statement

Although related, the purpose statement and problem statement are different.

Problem Statement	Purpose Statement
Explains the issue or gap	Explains the goal of the study
Identifies what is wrong or missing	Describes what the research will do
Focuses on the problem	Focuses on the research objective

Both sections work together to guide the dissertation.

Final Thoughts on How to Write the Purpose of the Study in a Dissertation

The Purpose of the Study is a critical part of a dissertation because it clearly explains what the research intends to accomplish. A strong purpose statement connects the research problem, methodology, and research questions into a focused and coherent study.

By clearly identifying your topic, population, and research goals, you create a strong foundation for the rest of your dissertation.

For help writing your dissertation purpose statement, consider dissertation coaching. Learn more about us on our website.